Namazu-e (鯰絵) Naoru miyo Hiyakashi Namazu (治る御代ひやかし鯰, A new era: catfish idling in the pleasure quarter)
Collection:CSM Museum & Study Collection
Date: 1855
Medium: O-ban Nishiki-e (大判錦絵, large-format coloured print)
Object number: O.11.23
DescriptionNamazu-e (鯰絵, catfish pictures) are published during the Edo period. They were published in large numbers following the Ansei earthquake (安政の大地震) of 2 October 1855, based on the folk belief that an earthquake was caused by a large catfish active underground.
The print depicts catfish and craftsmen who came to visit the temporary business premises of the Yoshiwara brothels (吉原遊廓), which were bustling in the post-earthquake reconstruction economy, and were bitterly criticised by the courtesan.
The term ‘Yonaoshi, (世直し, Social Rebuild)' represents criticism of the policies of the Edo shogunate, and people utilized catfish to criticise the shogunate's administration. This print shows the political unrest that followed the great earthquake.
The print depicts catfish and craftsmen who came to visit the temporary business premises of the Yoshiwara brothels (吉原遊廓), which were bustling in the post-earthquake reconstruction economy, and were bitterly criticised by the courtesan.
The term ‘Yonaoshi, (世直し, Social Rebuild)' represents criticism of the policies of the Edo shogunate, and people utilized catfish to criticise the shogunate's administration. This print shows the political unrest that followed the great earthquake.